Typewriting machine



April 1 1924. 1,489,224

.1. A. B. SMITH TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Aug. 21, 1920 3 Sheets$heet 1 MZWMZZ 1 1% .Afforne April 1 1924.

J. A. B. SMITH TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Aug. 2],, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 April I 1924.

J. A. B. SMITH TYPEWRITING MACHINE Fil g- 21. 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Apr. 1, '1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JESSE A. B. SMITH, 0F STAMFORD, OONNEGTICUYT, ASSIGN'OR T0 UNDERWOOD TYPE- WRITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

1 Application filed August 21, 1920. Serial 1T0. 405,018.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JESSE A. B. SMITH, a eitizen'of the United States, residing in Stamford, in the count of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, ave invented certain new and useful Improvements in .Typewriting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Tl "s invention relates to sheet-collating means in which a statement-sheet and a ledger-sheet may be positioned relatively to a record-sheet, and includes features of improvement upon m co-pending application, Serial No. 347,4;3, filed December 26, 1919 (now Patent No. 1,402,804, dated J anuary 10, 1922), in which a single sheet may be positioned relatively to a record-sheet.

In carrying out the invention, the recordsheet and a carbon-sheet may be directed to the -platen at its rear by an auxiliary table, positioned above a rear paper-table or guide and having its delivery edge close to the platen, and led around the platen past the printing point and between a front paper-table or collating table and the platen. The auxiliary table serves as a restrainer in that it restrains the record-sheet and its carbon-sheet by holding these sheets at the rear ofthe platen and preventing them from dropping to the usual rear paper table. It will be seen that, by properly positioning the restrainer, the record-sheet may be held in contact with a suflicient portion of the platen surface, so as to avoid shifting during adjustment of. the statement-sheet and the ledger-sheet with respect thereto.

Preferably the auxiliary table or restrainer is provided with side gages which form therewith a wide chute to guide the record-sheet at the introductory side of the platen.

Suitable means may also be provided to guide the record-sheet and the associated carbon-sheet back of the collating table and to maintain them in proper position on the platen. To this end, a rock-shaft, mounted at the rear of the collating table, may be provided, at each side of the latter, with paper-fingers having feed-rolls thereon and extending below the lower edge of the collating table. Preferably, the shaft is provided, at the center of the machine, with a paper-finger shaped to conform with the platen surface, and positioned opposite an extending from the platen to the collating table. It will be seen that the record-sheet and its carbon-sheet may be held smoothly on the platen between the delivery edge of .the restrainer and the paper-fingers adjacent the lower edge of the collating table. Preferably the collating table is provided wlth side gages, so spaced that the recordsheet will just fit therebet-ween.

In order that the ledger and statement sheets may be readily inserted, provision may be made of means to enable such insertion to be effected at the front of the platen. To this'end, a deflector is mounted at one side of the machine, and the releasing means for the usual feed-rolls below the platen is so connected with a paperapron at the front of the rear paper-table that, u on casting off said feed-rolls, the forwar edge of the paper-apron will be moved into a groove in the deflector, thus enabling work-sheets to be inserted over said deflector and carried back to the rear paper-table. It should be understood that the restrainer serves to prevent interference by the record-sheet and its carbonsheet with the passage of the bottom ends of the led er-sheet and statement-sheet rearwardly a ong the usual rear paper-table. Furthermore, unnecessary wear and injury of the carbon-sheet overlying the recordsheet are avoided. To insure the proper positioning of the led er-sheet and associated statement-sheet wit reference to the record-sheet when they are inserted at the rear or introductory side of the platen, provision may be made of side gages preferably adjustable along the rear paper-table to accommodate difi'erent widths of recordsheets at different positions along the laten, and to form a narrow chute with lts sides between the sides of the wide or record-sheet chute formed by the auxiliary table or restrainer and the side gages'associated therewith. The side gages on the rear paper-table may align with the side gages on the collating table, so that a rec- -ord-sheet and a statement-sheet, when in serted at the introductory side of the platen,

' will be guided directly to the collating table at the introductory side of the platen, and a ledger-sheet and a statement-sheet inserted at the introductory side of the platen and positioned transversely by the collatin table will be guided over the rear papermade, at the side of the machine where said sheets are inserted, of suitable positioning means, such as an additional wing-scale. Also, a paper-finger, mounted on the front rail of the carriage and extending upwardly along said collating table, may be used for maintaining the work-sheets in proper position on said table.

The ledger-sheet may be provided with lines at one margin which may be utilized in accurately positioning the ledger-sheet when inserted. Due to the fact that the greater part of the led er-sheet may be covered by the statement-s ieet, it may be difficult to determine which of the lines on the ledger-sheet is to be brought to writing-line position. This difiiculty may be avoided by printing a mark, such as a dash or hyphen on the ledger-sheet'opposite each entry. Such marks will assist in determining the position of the ledger-sheet when next inserted.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a front view of a portion of an Underwood standard typewriting machine with my invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a detail view of a clamping device mounted on one edge of the collating table.

Figure 3 is a sectional, side view of the structure in Figure 1, taken along the line 33 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 1s a detail view of the paperfinger for holding work-sheets in engagement with the collating table.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the principal parts shown in Fig ure 1.

Figure 6 is a view showing the platen A cylindrical platen 1' is supported, by means of an axle 2, in a platen-frame 3, which comprises a bar 4, extending from one end of the platen-frame to the other at the rear, and a rod 5, extending from one side of the platen-frame to the other below the platen. Said platen-frame forms part of a carriage 6, which is supported at the front by means of a roll 7 thereon projecting into a groove 8 in a front rail 9, andat the rear by suitable means, not shown.

Secured to bar 4 in any suitable manner is a rear paper-table or guide 10, extending downwardly and forwardly to the platen and comprising a paper-apron which curves around the bottom of the platen to the front thereof. Mounted on rod 5 are levers 11 supporting, in open bearings at their forward ends, a shaft 12 on which are mounted one or more feed-rolls 13, projecting through the usual openings in the front part of the rear paper-table 10. Pivotally mounted on brackets 14, fixed on said rod 5, and extending rearwardly therefrom, are levers 15, the rear ends of which pass between the rear paper-table and the offset ends 16 of strips 1.7 secured thereto, the forward ends of levers 15 being bent so as to pass beneath pins 18 on levers 11 and upwardly in front of rod 5. A spring 19, interposed between an offset 20 on each of levers 11 and a fixed part of the platen-frame, urges the rolls 13 and the forward portion of the flexible paper-table 10 to their usual positions.

\Vhen it is desired to release or cast off the feed-rolls, either for the introduction of sheets at the front or for introduction of sheets at the rear of the platen, the operator, by depressing the finger-piece 21, rocks a stub-shaft 22, and, by means of an arm 23 thereon and a link 24 connecting said arm 23 with an arm 25 on a release or cast-off shaft 26, rocks the latter, so that the levers 15 are engaged by the rounded portions on said cast-off shaft instead of the flat faces 27, thus withdrawing the feed-rolls 13 from the platen, and, by flexing the paper-table 10, withdrawing the forward edge thereof from the platen, as more fully described in said co-pending application.

The machine may also be equipped with a front paper-table or collating table 28, comprising sections 29 and 30, adjustably secured to a support 31 by suitable means, such as set-screws 32, extending through slots 33 in said sections, the heads of said screws lying in recesses so as not to project above the surface of the collating table. Due to the manner of mounting the sections 29 and 30 of the collating table, the table may be adjusted to different widths and to different positions longitudinally of the platen. The support 31 is carried at its endson brackets with the various work-sheets arranged thereor plates 34, mounted on rods 35 and 36,

supported respectively by the ends of the platen-frame and brackets on the ends of said platen-frame. J

In carrying out the invention, it 1s desirablc to have the 1'ecordsheet so controlled that it will remain in adjusted position while shifting and adjustment of the ledger-sheet and statement are'effected thereon. To this end, the record-sheet 37 and a carbon-sheet 38 are introduced over an auxiliary table or restrainer 39, located above the rear papertable 10, so that the record-sheet will be in frictional contact with a greater portion of the platen surface than if introduced over the rear paper-table 10, and with its carb0n-sheet will be held above the table so as not to interfere with sheets introduced thereover. For convenience, the restrainer 39 may be mounted on the rod 35 by means of brackets 40, and the brackets or plates 34 may be utilized as side gages for the recordsheet, thus forming with the auxiliary table or restrainer 39 a wide chute at the introductory side of the platen.

When the leading edge of the record-sheet has been brought to the front of the platen, a finger-piece 41 is swung to the rear, there by rocking the shaft 42 and swinging paperfingers 43, 44 and 45 away from the platen, to guide the leading edge of the recordsheet between the lower edge of the collating table and the platen.

The finger-piece may then be operated to restore the paper-fingers 43, 44 and 45 to their normal, positions. It will be seen that the paper-fingers 43, 45, which lie on the opposite sides of the collating table 28, may be provided with feed-rolls 46, 47, respectively, but that provision of a feed roll on the paper-finger 44 would necessitate shortening the paper-finger to avoid interference with a work-sheet on the collating table; Preferably, therefore, the paper-finger 44 has no feed-roll, and its effective portion is shaped to conform to the contour of the platen. It is possible, therefore, to have the paper-fingers brought down very close to the printing line. After the return of the paper-fingers to their normal positions, the record-sheet 37 may be shifted by turning the platen by means of finger-wheels 48 or llne-spaclng mechanism including a ratchetwhcel 49 and a pawl 50.

lVhen a statement is to be made out and,

sent to a customer, a statement-sheet 51 and a ledger-sheet 52, on which the customers account is kept, placed together with a carbon 53 therebetween, are inserted in the machine. It has been found convenient to effect such insertion at the front of the platen. To facilitate this operation, a deflector 54 may be provided at one side of the machine, said deflector being supported at its inner end by a bracket 55 projecting from the frame of the machine, and at its outer end by a bracket 56 extending inwardly and forwardly therefrom, and attached to the frame by any suitable means. It should be noted that the deflector has a groove 57 in its rear face adjacent the platen, and that the edges thereof at each side of the groove are rounded, to avoid catching the edges of work-sheets inserted in either direction. The collating table 28 may also be positioned nearer to the left end of the platen than to the right end in order to co-operate to bet tcr advantage with the deflector 54.

When the parts are positioned as shown in Figure 3, a work-sheet introduced from the rear will be so guided by the curved portion of the rear paper-table as to avoid any danger of catching on the deflector. When inserting the statement-sheet 51 and ledgersheet 52 at the rear or introductory side of the platen, side-edge gages 52 may be adjusted along the rear paper-table 10 to guide the ledger-sheet 52 to the collating table 28,

the statement-sheet being gaged against one of the side gages 52% It will be seen that the side gages 52" form with the rear papertable 10 a chute at the introductory side of the platen, narrower than the record-sheet chute, and that, due to the adjustability of the gages 52, they may be set at different distances apart to guide narrow ledgersheets of different widths andat different distances from the plates or side gages 34 of the wide chute for varying the position of the narrow or ledger-sheet 52 relatively to the wide record-sheet 37. When it is desired to insert sheets at the front, thecarriage is shifted to the left to the position shown in Figure 1 and the feed-rolls 13 cast off, the forward ortion of the paper-table 10 being deflected at the same time, in a manner hereinbefore described, and the forward edge thereof moved into the groove 57 so that sheets inserted from the front will not catch on said forward edge of papertable 10. The deflector 54 is substantially the same as one disclosed in said co-pending application. It should be understood that the insertion of the sheets 51 and 52 is facilitated by the smooth arrangement of the record-sheet 37 and its carbon-sheet 38 around the platen, and also by the action of the restainer 39 in holding the record-sheet- 37 and carbon-sheet 38 above the rear papertable 10 so as to afford a free passage therealong. 1

It may be necessary to adjust the ledgersheet 52 and the statement-sheet 51 after their insertion. To facilitate this operation,

advantage may be taken of the fact that the gage the ledger-sheet near one edge after adjustment thereof, and hold it while adjustment of the statement-sheet is effected.

After the adjustment of the statement-sheet has been completed, the paper-finger 58 may be swung into position to maintain the statement and ledger sheets in position on the collating-table, and the clamping device released. The paper-finger is supported on a pivot 59 on the front rail of the carriage and held in effective or ineffective position by a leaf spring 60, enga ing a block 61 on which the paper-finger is xed.

Preferably, the clamping device comprises a presser block 62, of any suitable material such as rubber, on an arm of a bent lever 63 fixed on a shaft 64 carried by a bracket 65 sup orted on the outside of one of the edge gui es or gages 66 on the collating tab c. It should be understood that the gages 66 on the collating table 28 and the side-edge gages 52 are to be positioned in alignment with each other. A spring 67 is attached to the collating table and to an arm of the bent lever 63, so that the spring may actto urge the block 62 towards the collating table, or to urge the same to its retracted position accordingly as the spring is carried to one side or the other of the axis of the shaft 64. A finger-piece 68 may be provided to throw the clamping device into and out of operation, and may serve to limit the retraction of the clamping device by coming into contact with the support 31.

It should be understood that after the ledger-sheet, belonging to the customer, and a statement-sheet have been inserted and the proper adjustment obtained by the aid of the lines at the right-hand margin of the ledger-sheet, and the mark madeat the time of the last entry, the name of the customer is typed on the record-sheet atthe right of the other sheets. The carriage may then be shifted to the right and another entry. made. It will be obvious that the typing of the names on the record-sheet will be of great value in identifying or checking up entries when it is found desirable to do so at some later time. \Vhen it is desired to head up a new statement, that is, type the customers name and address on the statement-sheet, without having a copy appear on the recordsheet, the statement-sheet may be shifted to the right of the platen so that the typing will be effected to the ri ht of the carbonsheet overlying the recor sheet 37.

To facilitate the adjustment of the ledger and statement sheetswith reference to the writing line, after their insertion with the carriage in its limiting position at the left, provision may be made of a wing-scale 69 in addition to the usual Wing-scales 70 and 71.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a t-ypewriting machine, the combination with. a platen and a carriage therefor, of a guide,'1ncluding a paper-apron at the bottom of the platen and extending to the delivery side thereof, for guiding to the rear of the laten work-sheets and carbon-sheets inserte at the front of the platen, a frontinsertion device, at one side of the machine, to direct, when the carriage is moved to that side, the bottom edge of downwardly-thrust sheets between the platen and the forward edge of the paper-apron, a collating table at the delivery sideof the platen for positioning the front-inserted work-sheets and carbon-sheets, and a restrainer, co-operating 'apron, a front-insertion device to introduce the bottom edge of a downwardly-thrust work-sheet between the platen and the forward edge of the paper-apron so that the work-sheet may be thrust rearwardly along said sup ort, a collating table at the delivery side of t e platen, and means to hold a record-sheet and carbon-sheet in smooth condition on the platen to avoid fouling or interference when said work-sheet is inserted from the front, said holding means comprising a restrainer to press the record-sheet and carbon-sheet against the rear of the platen along a line spaced above said paper-guide, and means to press the carbon-sheet and record-sheet against the platen at the delivery side thereof and to cause it to pass around the platen between the lower edge of said collating table and the platen.

3. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a rear paper-table comprising a paper-apron curved around the bottom of the platen and extending to the delivery side thereof, a collating table at the delivery side of the platen, said collating table having side gages, means to hold a record-sheet and a carbon-sheet outside thereof in smooth condition on the platen from a line spaced above the rear paper-table to a line back of the lower edge of the collating table back of which the record-sheet and carbon-sheet extend, a front-insertion device to direct between the platen and the forward edge of the paper-apron the bottom edges of a downwardly-thrust ledger-sheet of a width to fit between the side gages of the collating table, a statement-sheet, to be gaged against one side gage of the collating table and of less width than the ledger-sheet, and an interleaved carbon, and a, clip to press the exposed edge'of the ledger-sheet against the collating table and detain it during the adjustment of the statement-sheet relatively thereto.

4. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a carnage, a platen, a collatin table'at the delivery side of the platen, an a device adjacent the lower edge of the collating table to hold a wide record-sheet a ainst the platen and direct it between the ower edge of the collating table and'the platen, comprising rolls to engage the ends of the platen beyond the ends of the collating table, and a finger intermediate the ends of said collating table and serving to hold the recordsheet against the platen without interfering with a ledger-sheet extending from the platen to the collating table.

5. In a typewritin machine, in combination, a carriage, a p aten, a collating table at the delivery side-of the platen and provided with an aperture extending to its lower edge, and a device adjacent the lower edge of the collating table tohold a wide record- 'sheet against the platen and direct it between the lower edge of the collating table and the platen, comprising rolls to engage the ends of the platen beyond the ends of the collating table, and a finger intermediate the ends of said collating table and positioned so that it may be shifted upwardly into said aperture, and serving to hold the record-sheet against the platen without interfering with a ledger-sheet extending from the platen to the collating table.

6. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a carriage, a platen, a collating table at the delivery side of the platen and provided with an aperture extending to its lower edge, and a device'adjacent the lower edge of'the collating table to hold a wide rec0rd-sheet against the platen and direct it between the lower edge of the collating table and the platen, comprising rolls to engage the ends of the platen beyond the ends of the collating table, a finger intermediate the ends of said collating table and positioned so that it may be shifted upwardly into said a erture, and serving to hold the record-sheet against the platen without interfering with a ledger-sheet extending from the platen to the collating table, and a rockable shaft on which said rolls and finger are mounted for movement to and from the platen.

7. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a rear paper-table adapted to guide a wide sheet to the platen, a front paper-table adapted to receive a narrow sheet, and a swingable device to guide said wide sheet and a carbon-sheet between the lower edge of the front paper-table and the platen, comprising rolls to press the 'wide sheet-against the platen at each side of the front paper-table, and a central =finger curved to the contour of the platen to mamtain the wide sheet against the platen between the ends of t a front paper-table wlthout interferin with a work-sheet extending from the p aten to the front papertable.

8. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a carriage, a platen, a collating table comprising separated end-sections havmg side gages, and a device to hold a wide record-sheet against the platen and direct -1t between the lower edge of the collating table and the platen, comprising rolls to engage the ends of the platen outside of the gages, and a downwardly-extending finger between said sections and serving to hold the record-sheet against the platen without interfering with a ledger-sheet extending from the platen to the collating table.

9. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a carriage, a platen, a collating table comprising separated end-sections having side gages, and a device to hold a wide record-sheet against the platen and direct it between the lower edge of the collating table and the platen, comprising rolls to engage the ends of the platen outside of the gages, a downwardly-extending finger between said sections and serving to hold the record-sheet against the platen without interfering with a ledger-sheet extending from the platen to the collating table, and a rockable shaft on which said rolls and finger are mounted for movement to and from the platen.

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and releasable feed-rolls, of a collating table for a ledger-sheet and a statement-sheet at the delivery side of the platen, a front-insertion device at one side of the machine for guiding both ledger-sheet and statement-sheet inserted bottom foremost down around the platen at its front, a rear paper-table or guide extending to the introductory side of the platen for guiding. back the front-inserted sheets, a restrainer at the back of the platen and disposed between the same and said rear papertable, to restrain and guide a record-sheet and carbon-sheet inserted forwardly around. the platen between the same and said statement and ledger sheets, so as to prevent fouling and interference between the record-sheet and the associated carbon-sheet and the bottom ends of the sheets inserted at the front of the platen, a writing-line gage adjacent the printing point, and a writing-line gage at one end of said frontinsertion device toga e a work-sheet when inserted by means 0 said front-insertion device.

11. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a-platen, a rear paper-table having its forward portion curved aroundthe platen to the front thereof, an auxiliary paper-table to direct a work-sheet to the platen above said rear paper-table, a front paper-table, and a device adjacent its lower edge swingable from the platen to receive the leading edge of the work-sheet introduced over saidauxiliary paper-table and effective, when returned to normal position, to guide the work-sheet between the front paper-table and the platen.

12. In a typewriting'machine, in combination, a platen, a rear paper-table having its forward portion curved around the platen tot-he front thereof, an auxiliary paper-table to direct a work-sheet to the platen above said rear paper-table, a front paper-table. a device adjacent its lower edge swingable from the platen to receive the leading edge of the work-sheet introduced over said auxiliary paper-table and effective, when returned to normal position, to guide the work-sheet between the front papertable and the platen, and means whereby work-sheets for said front paper-table may be inserted at the front of the platen l and. received upon the rear paper-table.

13. In a typewriting machine, in combination,.a carriage, a platen supported therein, a rear paper-table'to direct work-sheets to the platen, a front paper-table, a clamping member at one side of said front paper-table adapted to clamp the adjacent edge of a work-sheet against the latter, and a paperfinger mounted on said carriage and extending upwardly along the front paper-table to hold work-sheets in engagement with the latter.

14. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a carriage, a platen supported therein, means to direct work-sheets to the platen, a front paper-table, a clamping member pivoted at one side of said front papertable and adapted to be swung into position to clamp a work-sheet thereagainst, and a paper-finger mounted on said carriage and extending upwardly along the front papertable to hold work-sheets in engagement therewith.

15. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a carriage, a platen supported therein, means to direct a work-sheet to the platen, a front paper-table having a side gage, a. clamping element to co-operate with said front paper-table adjacent said side gage to prevent shifting of a work-sheet on said front paper-table, and a paper-finger mounted on said carriage and extending upwardly therealong to hold work-sheets in engagement therewith.

16. In a typewriting machine, in combina tion, a carriage, a platen supported therein, a rear paper-table to direct work-sheets to the platen, a front paper-table havinga side gage, a clamping element to co-operate with said front paper-table adjacent said side gage to prevent shifting of a work-sheet on said front paper-table, means adapted to urge said clamping element either to effective or ineffective position, and a paperfinger mounted on said carriage and extending upwardly along said front paper-table to gold work-sheets in engagement therewit a 17. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a carriage, a platen supported therein, a rear paper-table to direct work-sheets to said platen, a front paper-table, means whereby a work-sheet on said front papertable may be clamped at one edge, means to enable worksheets for said frontpapertable td be inserted at the front of the platen, and a paper-finger on said carriage extending upwardly along said front papertable, said paper-finger being mounted for movement into and out of effective position.

18. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, a rear paper-table to direct work-sheets to said platen, writing-line-indieating means adjacent the printing point, a front paper-table, means to enable worksheets for said front paper-table to be inserted at the front when the platen is positioned at one side of the machine, and additional writing-line-indicating means at the side of the machine where front insertion is effected.

19. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a revoluble platen. of a wide chute at the introductory side of the platen having side members engageable with the edges of a Wide record-sheet for guiding the latter to the platen, a narrow chute at the introductory side of the platen between the side members of the Wide chute and having side members engageable with the edges of narrow sheets for guiding the narrow sheets to the platen to overlie the wide recordsheet thereon, said wide record-sheet passing above said narrow chute at the introductory side of the platen, releasable means 00- operative with the platen to advance all the sheets for line-feeding, and means at the delivery side of the platen to engage the side margins of the wide record-sheet to' hold it against the platen while a narrow sheet is adjusted thereover when said releasable means are released, said narrow chute comprising two parts or members mounted for adjustment to different distances apart to guide, narrow sheets of different widths, and also for adjustmentto different distances from the side members of the wide chute for varying the position of a narrow sheet relatively to the wide record-sheet.

JESSE A. B. SMITH. Witnesses:.

FRANK R. ZwAHLnN, K EDITH B. LIBBEY. 

